Governorate, oasis and city
AlUla Governorate lies in northwestern Saudi Arabia and belongs administratively to Madinah Region. AlUla is used for both the city and the wider governorate containing it, while the oasis occupies part of the governorate's land.
Farming in an arid setting
AlUla's oasis contains date-palm groves and citrus farms. Access to water and suitable agricultural soil helped support settlement. Buildings and orchards share the valley amid dry desert surroundings, with a general climate of hot summers and cooler winters.
Natural rocks and carved monuments
Sandstone cliffs surround the valley, and the wider AlUla area includes wadis, canyons and rock formations. Elephant Rock is one example shaped by natural erosion. In contrast, Hegra's tomb facades north of the city were carved by people, and Hegra is one of the governorate's archaeological sites.
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